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Veritable Plethora

In high school, our drama/speech crew loved the words “veritable plethora” and used it as often as possible. I drew these crazy circles and buttons first, and then staring at them, those words came spilling back to me, along with all the memories and laughs.

We were having FUN. Enjoying all the choices of joy in our lives. And it is so true. My friends, I am so inspired by the choices we make to find the fun, to find the laughter, to measure the moments of joy outweighed by the heaviness that can surround us.

I looked up that Hemingway quote the other morning from Just Going to Post it, and had such fun reading a whole list of his words. I, honestly, have never read one of his books. (I fully admit to reading more of Oprah’s and Target’s picks than the classics the last fifteen years). But, I think he may be next on my list. As I looked through quotes I enjoyed his words. Many of them were, perhaps, not appropriate for this space. But here are some that spoke to me, just for fun, and what drew me to them.

The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry. A Farewell to Arms

There’s no one thing that’s true. It’s all true.For Whom the Bell Tolls (Each and all of our perspectives and histories are true to each of us, true?)

Never confuse movement with action. Papa Hemingway (An excellent example of the plethora of words and the importance of using them correctly, and perceiving them correctly.)

Eschew the monumental. Shun the Epic. All the guys who can paint great big pictures can paint great small ones.Published in Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters 1917–1961 (See, little artworks are important, too!)

Pound’s crazy. All poets are…. They have to be. You don’t put a poet like Pound in the loony bin. For history’s sake we shouldn’t keep him there. Published in Ernest Hemingway: Selected Letters 1917–196 (Ah, yes, us crazies have to be out, history needs us!)

There are so many choices of words in this world. We can choose to quote the nasty, the evil, the bitter, the political. I am not saying that we should not face the bad and use it to create change. But we can choose to find the words, in that veritable plethora floating in our air space, that will make our hearts, mind, and world better.

This is me: Nicole Plymesser Nelson (aka nicplynel)

Welcome! I paint an artwork every morning during my devotions--based on a quote, a Bible verse, or my thoughts. It helps me pray, refocus, and learn about my Christian faith and life. This is where I share my creations as a ministry, along with words that I hope will encourage and inspire you.